DeKalb adopts state'wide body-art regulations to standardize permitting and safety

The PECS committee recommended adoption of Georgia—s statewide body-art regulations on Tuesday, aligning DeKalb County rules with the Department of Public Health—s uniform code that took effect last year.

Ryan Serra, DeKalb—s environmental health director, and DeKalb Public Health staff briefed commissioners on differences between the county—s 2006 ordinance and the statewide code (Chapter 5-1138). The state regulations require standardized artist certification and examinations, studio standard operating procedures for infection control and emergency response, hand sinks in procedure rooms, safety data sheets for inks, and make statewide artist permits valid across counties.

Under the statewide code, some procedures previously limited by local rules now may be performed with parental presence and written consent (for minors) and microblading is incorporated into the regulatory framework. The state code also requires employers to offer hepatitis B vaccination at no charge to employees who perform body-art procedures.

DeKalb staff said statewide certification will ease cross-county work for artists and allow the county to regulate temporary events such as tattoo conventions. Staff also noted that local inspectors must complete training and pass examinations to proctor artist exams and that a new electronic data-management module will replace paper records.

The committee approved the substitute item adopting the uniform state rules; the measure will proceed to the full board as recommended.

Why it matters: Adopting statewide rules standardizes public-health protections and reduces regulatory fragmentation for artists working in multiple jurisdictions. It also gives the county clearer authority to inspect and regulate conventions and temporary events.

Ending: The committee recommended approval; staff will implement training for inspectors, roll out electronic permitting modules and notify the local industry about the changes.